The recently published National Health Statistics Report on the use of complementary health approaches documents patterns in the use of healing strategies that are outside of conventional Western medicine. Three data sets (collected from a combined sample of 88 962 via interviews in 2002, 2007, and 2012) reveal trends over a decade of usage among civilian, noninstitutionalized US adults older than 18 years.1

Overall, these nationally representative data indicate that 34% of adults used some form of complementary healing approach in 2012, and this is consistent with previous research. Past research demonstrates that consumers often use complementary approaches either to promote their health and sense of well-being or to alleviate unwanted effects of conventional medical treatments.2 These approaches continue to be used mostly by adults who are younger, more educated, and of higher socioeconomic status. Results pertaining to the use of specific healing approaches include the following:

* Nonvitamin, nonmineral supplements are the most frequently used approach, with significant increases in the use of fish oil, probiotics or prebiotics, and melatonin between 2007 and 2012. In fact, the data showed a 60% increase in the use of fish oil during that 5-year period, the use of probiotics increased 4-fold, and the use of melatonin doubled during that time.1

* Deep breathing, used alone or as a part of yoga, imagery, or other approaches, was the second most frequently used modality.

* Yoga, tai chi, and qi gong have been popular all along, and their use increased significantly over all data sets-especially yoga, which has significantly increased in use across all ages and races.

* Meditation has remained in the top 5 complementary approaches used.

* Although still one of the top 5 supplements, glucosamine/chondroitin use has declined slightly between 2007 and 2012, as has the use of Echinacea, garlic, ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, MSM, and saw palmetto.

* Chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation has remained the fourth most common approach over time.

* There has been a small but significant increase in the use of acupuncture, naturopathy, and homeopathy.

So what does this mean for us as holistic practitioners? We are committed to promoting whole-person resiliency, wellness, and well-being, and these complementary healing strategies usually aim to support wellness in body, mind, and spirit. Certainly, we need to know about the products and approaches our clients are using. We need to stay on top of the trends and be able to offer education, monitoring, and recommendations.

To what degree are health care providers and researchers driving the usage of these approaches, and to what extent should the data in this report drive providers' usage of these modalities? The fact that many people use a particular strategy/product likely means they experience/perceive benefits from using that strategy-whether or not we can find research that would tell us so. Are these users following through on recommendations made by their health care providers, or are they finding strategies on their own? And, while the general population may access literature pertaining to effectiveness of particular modalities, the trends in usage of particular products may reflect perceptions of benefit rather than "keeping up with the current literature." The question remains-do patterns of usage reflect prescribing patterns, indicate subjectively perceived effectiveness of various modalities, or reflect an Internet-savvy public able to stay abreast of current research? And, how might the answers to these questions fit in with an overall, evidence-informed approach to practice?

Looking at these patterns of usage can also help us aim our healing work toward those who may benefit from complementary approaches but are not in a segment of the population that tends to use these modalities due to issues of cost, access, or knowledge. Certainly, more research is needed to fully understand these trends. In the meantime, check out the full report available online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.3

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